Archmere Academy’s Student Newspaper
Volume 91, Issue 1
November 2023
Archmere Places Emphasis on Disciplinary Rules Policies Spark Debate Among Students
Kathryn Pyne ‘25 ASST. NEWS & MANAGING EDITOR Although the Archmere disciplinary rules remain the same as previous years, Archmere administrators have been more heavily enforcing them this year. Acting together as Directors of Student Life and Culture, Mr. Nowaczyk and the newly positioned Mr. Johnson are collaborating to ensure students are following these rules. It is expected of students to tuck in their shirts, to not use their cellphones in school, and to store their computer in the Archmere provided case. It has always been mandatory for students to have their personal IDs, but this school year Archmere administrators have been mandating that students should wear their IDs on their person to ensure safety. If students are wearing their IDs, administrators know that students did not misplace their IDs, therefore confirming that random people do not have access to Archmere’s academic buildings. Maura Read ‘25 says, “Although the rules about IDs are sometimes difficult to follow, they keep us and our school safe.” However, some students are strongly opposed to being penalized for not wearing their IDs,
and do not find a purpose to it. Emily Mayo ‘25 says, “Giving us points for the tiniest things, like not wearing your ID, is frustrating and annoying.” Mr. Johnson believes that following stricter disciplinary policies in high school prepares students to better integrate with college expectations. Mr Johnson recalls when he played games on his laptop during class in college, and, consequently, he ended up with a C+ in the class. Mr. Johnson reflects on his own personal experience, saying, “It would have served me well to have consequences for being distracted on my device before I got to college.” He then says, “This is definitely part of the rationale behind the no cellphone policy at Archmere.” In regards to the dress code, Johnson argues that Archmere’s dress code effectively prepares students for workplace norms. “Most jobs require a dress code and, at that point, there are no warnings when not followed,” Johnson says. In previous years, one violation of the student handbook would result in a warning. However, the new procedure allows
Archmere administrators to give out disciplinary points for violations without a warning. Once students receive three disciplinary points, students are to meet Mr. Johnson and he will assign the student with a personalized reflection, instead of a typical, purposeless punishment. Johnson says, “The new structure allows for students to have good reflection on their violations, but not feel like they are getting bombarded with consequences.” Overall, the crackdown on students following disciplinary rules has caused some opposition within the student population, but Mr. Johnson assures that each rule serves a meaningful purpose that strengthens the community as a whole. Mr. Johnson stresses this, saying, “While we are being stricter in the assigning of points, we are being much more open and forgiving on the follow up of that.” There is no misunderstanding of the rules; however, the penalization of students with minor violations, in general, is considered excessive among the student population.
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Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Mr. Newitt Maura Read ‘25 CO-SPORTS EDITOR After losing a beloved member of the Archmere community, many people have spoken about their relationship with Mr. Terry Newitt and how he affected their lives. Mr. Newitt, a teacher of many art classes at Archmere for many years, recently passed away and left a lot of life lessons with the people he impacted. Mrs. Silverman revealed in an interview her relationship with Mr. Newitt and shared a few words on his lasting memory and impact on her life. To start, Mr. Newitt was an art teacher at Archmere for 39 years. He not only taught classes but he also did many day-to-day acts that stood out to many faculty and students. He worked many extra hours and even opened the art studio to students on Saturdays. Many teachers claim that Mr. Newitt always fully immersed himself in every project and was always willing and eager to bring his artistic genius to the standard academic side of the school. According to Madame Thiel’s tribute to Mr. Newitt, “Terry was a believer in the balance of the educational ecosystem: that an institution most thrives when it allows room for every individual to be their quirky, authentic selves, all while advancing the shared mission and values.” Mrs. Silverman, the head of Archmere’s Art Department, spoke strongly of her relationship with Mr. Newitt and his effect on her life. Their story started
when she first attended Archmere for high school. She claims she immediately felt the impact of his extraordinary teaching style and commitment to the growth of his students. She recounts on her first class with him as “electrifying” and a “sense of belonging.” He was able to see her talent early on, and he ultimately influenced her to pursue her art abilities to the fullest and to unleash her true talent. She remembers a time when Mr. Newitt drove all the way to New York City to make sure one of her award winning pieces was honored to its fullest potential. He also helped her put together her portfolio, apply to one of the top art schools in the country, and eventually guided her into the art education program at Archmere. She claims that his method of teaching and understanding that the “heart and hand and soul are wedded together in the creative process” lasted with her and still guides her teaching today. He believed in “looking for magic of every day,” which, for him, often ended up being in art. His teaching of the non-mechanical sense of art impacted many people’s lives as his methodology followed him outside the classroom and into every project he took on. His effort and spirit lasted with anyone who interacted with him, and his memory will forever be remembered as a large part of the Archmere community.
Above: Mr. Newitt with one of his art classes. Below: Mr. Newitt assisting a student with his art project. (Photos: Archmere Academy Instagram)